What to do if you suspect or witness child abuse

If you suspect or witness child abuse in children under 18, you are obligated to report it to the Children’s Counseling Office.
If there is an immediate threat to their lives, call emergency services at 110 immediately.

Child abuse can be:

• Physical abuse: Causing bodily injury or pain (punching, kicking, etc)
• Neglect: Neglecting/refusing to care for a child, i.e. not feeding them or bathing them; ignoring physical abuse inflicted by a household member
•  Psychological abuse: Inflicting psychological damage with words like “I wish you were never born,” and other harmful words; psychological wounds from witnessing domestic abuse between parents
• Sexual abuse: engaging in sexual acts, showing them explicit videos

If you suspect a child may be suffering from abuse, contact the following:

The Hiroshima City Children’s Counseling Office
Tel: 082-263-0694
Address:2-15-55 Hikari-machi, Higashi-ku
Hiroshima City 732-0052

Child abuse telephone counseling services are available 24 hours a day, including nights and weekends. Child abuse reports may also be made 24 hours a day, including nights and weekends, by phone.

Children’s Counseling Office, Children’s Outlook Bureau